JENdA: A Journal of Culture and African Women’s Studies invites authors to submit manuscripts for a special edition that will address issues surrounding migration (both forced and voluntary) that are pertinent to many feminist and Africanist scholars in Africa, North America, Latin American, Asia, and the Caribbean. Various developments throughout the world affect migration from civil wars to natural disasters—the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the earthquake in Haiti serve as prime examples. Women have been affected by these developments in various ways. In addition, stricter immigration policies have been enacted throughout Europe and North America following the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001 that have made it more difficult for African and African descended women to make the case for asylum, to enter countries as asylees, and to be processed for resettlement.

These policies have resulted in thousands of African and African descended women being held in detention centers in North America and Europe before they are deported for non-criminal crimes. The goal of this special edition is to address forced and voluntary migration beyond women seeking entry into the Americas. The special issue’s aim is to also include articles that address and explore migrations between African countries (refugees) and within African countries (regular migrates and internally displaced populations). Articles that address these same issues for the Caribbean and Central and South America are greatly welcomed.